Sitting At The Kitchen Table

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 09:01 PM

Hey Jerry, I've just been listening to your song--"All American Boy"--".....and all around town it was well understood/ That I was knockin' em out like Johnny B Goode".   (And Uncle
Sam won't even come after you and say "Take this rifle, kid. Gimme that guitar"). You've got the best of all worlds. Congratulations!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 06:51 PM

Admit it, Jerry -- you're only in it for the groupies, ain'tcha?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 06:46 PM

GOSH, THAT BUGS ME!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Tootler
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 06:34 PM

Elmer,

I got news for you. Someone's beaten you to it.

I was watching a cookery programme on TV over the weekend and guess what they were cooking up?

Yes - you got it - wabbit!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 05:22 PM

Sounds like a whole lotta wannabe-in-the-band fantasies come true. Roll over Bay-toe-van-and John Henry, and Mary Hamilton, and Matty Groves, and Joe Hill, and Greensleeves, and...

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 03:00 PM

Well, I've listened to the cd twice now, and I think I can do this...
Not 19 tracks at the same time though, thank you.

And NOW they tell me that we're going to start rehearsing with a 50's and 60's rock and roll band, doing Chuck Berry, Beach Boys and who knows what else.

Hey, I had a pair of blue suede shoes in the 50's, and wrote and recorded a rockabilly song.

Goin' be good rockin' tonight!

Life begins at 71.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 11:02 PM

I agree - Jerry, you'll be fine. Probably have the time of your life, a time you will never forget. Have lots of fun.

Segue here: Last night I had to grin at myself. I was out at music (our usual monthly folk club concert. Wonderful night) until about 11:00. I didn't go to bed right away, of course, but I was relaxed and pleased at how well the night had gone. This folk club is my and three friends of mine's baby and since I do the booking the right mix and flow of performers depends a good deal on my efforts.

Anyway, I went to bed at 12:30, still in the same mood.

As I pulled the cover over me and laid my head on the pillow I discovered I was whistling!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 08:41 PM

Jerry, it ain't called "doo wop" for nothin'. All you gotta do is remember the lyrics:

Doo wop shee bop wop doo wop shee bop wop....

and you'll be fine.

Of course, there might be slight variations on the above!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 08:24 PM

Now, don't go getting nervous. They asked you to help because they thought you could do a great job.   

Of course there are lots of new songs on a new album. But I'll bet their performance repertoire has lots of more familiar stuff. Hang in there with a positive attitude.

Hey hey hey Jerry, it's not too scary for you
Hey hey hey Jer, they want to doo-wop with you

well, you get the idea...

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 08:12 PM

Listening to the new Sentinels a capella doo wop album. Ken Mewes, the group leader dropped it off at the house tonight. I'm going to my first practice tomorrow night. The CD is wonderful, and I was impressed that they only include four or five familiar oldies. Most of the stuff I've never heard, and I have a near-ton of records.   There are 19 tracks on the CD. The baritone I'd temporarily replace is only go be here a couple of weeks. They expect me to learn 19 songs in two weeks? Puhleeeeez! There's no place to hide when you sing doo wop, and these guys are tight!

Feeling overwhelmed here. Not like singing along on Blue Moon at a folk festival sing around.

My doo wop career may be short-lived. :-)

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 03:44 AM

Do you suppose the Earth is a marble? I've seen misshapen marbles.

Not an original thought but I have often 'seen' the earth as being some kid's ant farm.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 09:50 PM

Yes, Ebbie. It is quite possible that we are being toyed with. Unlike Einstein, I think that God really DOES play dice with the Universe.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 07:11 PM

Good gracious, Jerry. Tell us more. Are you saying that motivated snails are quick on their feet?

(Appropo of nossing, I just recalled seeing a demonstration of the beneficial skin effects of snail slime on the human face.)

(Second thought: On television I saw a turtle trudging off the roadway, at the speed that we are all accustomed to assoicating with the creatures. Then a huma being tried to pick it up- the turtle turned back and sped the other direction. Is it possible that we human beings are being toyed with?)

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 06:27 PM

Was surfing tv and came across an intriguing title on the Moster Channel: The Monster that challenged the World. I clicked on the description out of curiosity, to find that it was about killer snails. And I thought to myself, "They couldn't have thought this out very clearly." Killer snails? "Look out, a killer snail is coming! "Alright, alright, just let me finish this program!"

I had to watch it long enough to see a killer snail attack someone.
For starters, these snails could outrun a cheetah. They looked suspiciously like a guy with a baggy rubber sleeve slipped over their head with a small shell attached on the back.

Boy, I hope I don't have nightmares tonight!

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 04:54 PM

Oh, OK then. The check's on the way.

:)

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 03:55 PM

That's endowment. Money we could use the interest from to do things we have to do. And the things that we are going to have to do are big ticket things -- like expanding the building's second floor out over the parking lots (roughly US $125.00 per square foot, assuming you don't have problems like you always do and don't need furniture and shelves and things). It's money to pay for things we'll need in twenty years, in forty years. And it won't be enough then unless we get the money NOW and invest it so that we have the money when we need it.

And I want this set up so that NOBODY, not even the Library Board, can touch that money without the approval of an Endowment Board. Daily operations of the Library should be financed by the city, as should ordinary repairs and equipment replacement. But if the Director in 2050 (unlikely to be me, 'cause I'd be about 105 years old then) wants to install quark-stabilized information transport s/he could make a case for it and apply to the Endowment Board for the cash (if the city couldn't or wouldn't provide it).

I only hope that $20 million would be enough seed money!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: KT
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 03:42 PM

By the way, Jerry, I meant to say that I've got your CD in the car. It's great and wonderful to share the ride to & form work with you!!

Carly, thanks so much!! I'll let you know when I have a reservation!!

love to all~
KT

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 01:05 PM

20 million dollars, Rap? Have you thought about building in installments, as in wings? Or double decking it, making the footprint smaller? Or- 20 million dollars?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 11:56 AM

Yeah. Only USD 19,900,000.00 to go! (And I ain't kiddin'. PM me if you want to make a tax-deductible donation.)

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 10:34 AM

Congratulations, Rapaire:

Doubling your endowment the first day ain't half bad..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 09:24 AM

Yesterday we had the kick-off planning meeting for our Centennial Capital Campaign at work. More study needed, etc. was the general consensus, and how do we fit our existing, though small (USD 53,000) endowment into the Campaign?

We broke up around 1:15 p.m. Around 3:50 the President of the Library Friends group called me. She'd picked up the mail for the Friends and in it was a check, the residue of a trust, for the Library. USD 46,093.62. Seems like the parents grew up in Pocatello and they and their children used and enjoyed the Library and....

The money will go into the Endowment, effectively doubling it, and a nice start to the Capital Campaign.

Odd how that happened on that particular day!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Carly
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 12:00 PM

Of course you can come, KT! Just let us know which plane to meet!

Jerry, how can you hesitate? Doo Wop is such fun stuff to sing.. and then you can tell us all of your adventures with the Sentinels...

Ebbie, the hot chocolate is just the thing for this wet, cold day in Virginia. Thanks for thinking of it.

Carly

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 09:46 AM

The economy being what it is, Rap, I'm surprised that someone hasn't re-done the song, saying "Get a second job."

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 09:12 AM

Jerry, I GOT a job. Do I gotta get another job?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: KT
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 01:58 AM

Hi everybody!!   A cup of hot Chamomile sounds just right........and I've brought along a fresh out of the oven pumpkin cake. Still warm, in fact......

It's been way too long since I've stopped in and I'm so happy to see y'all! Of course, since it has been so long, I only checked in a few posts back (starting with CARLY'S) and was especially warmed by your description of the Jewish New Year traditions and the High Holy Days. (Can I come sometime, Carly, can I please?)

Jerry, great news! I hope you find it satisfying and worth your time! Sounds like great fun!!

My new job has been keeping me very busy. It's a LOT of work AND such a gift. Only one New Year's resolution here....to be more consistent with entries in my gratitude journal.

Ah....I love this table. Thanks for keeping the kettle on, folks.

KT

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 11:19 PM

DO IT, JERRY!!!!!!!    WHAT A KICK!!!!!   And what stories you'll have for us! WOW! I'm jealous as hell!



(And I agree Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson is a great song (and especially instrumental piece.) In fact at our Christmas concerts this year at the Kennedy Center and Strathmore (another venue), we had a youth orchestra doing that one. It was spectacular--especially the way the (17 year old?) percussionist played the xylophone, the marimba (I think) and the blocks (to simulate the whip), coolly walking from one to the other during the piece. I would have been petrified I'd be late.

I'd much rather have the youth orchestra ( called American Youth Orchestra, I think) than the National Symphony accompany us at Christmas. They were so enthusiastic--and damn good.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 08:38 PM

Had an interesting phone call this evening. Ken Mewes, who sings bass and is the leader of The Sentinels (the a capella doo wop group I've gotten to know) called to ask if I'd be interested in filling in for their baritone for the next three months. I told him that I'd be interested in coming to a practice to see how we would work together, and if we were all satisfied, and the time commitment wasn't too excessive, I certainly would be interested. Things are slow right now, and I could probably make the time for it in the next three months.

And what a kick it would be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dip, dip, dip, dip, dip, dip, dip, dip, noom, noom, noom, noom, noom, noom, noom, noom, get a job..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 11:44 AM

Hey, Ron:

For a sleighing song, I vastly prefer Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, or even Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go.

If there hadn't been Jingle Bells, would we have been spared Jingle Bell Rock? I find that far more irritating.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 11:16 AM

Sorry--Georgia, not South Carolina.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Emma B
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 11:15 AM

Bugs has a "little" problem Elmer - see the 85 billion thread :-(
You wouldn't kick a wabbit when he's down would ya?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 11:09 AM

Before the holiday season slips completely away, I 'd like to say a word on behalf of poor maligned "Jingle Bells". It has the reputation of being maybe one of the most overplayed tunes piped in at the mall. But there's a lot more to it.

One of the verses says "Now the ground is white/ Go it while you're young/ Take the girls tonight/ And sing a sleighing song.

I've read that that can be seen as an early version of a Beach Boys song---"pretty girls and fast sleighs--nothing ever changes"--said the article I saw. Maybe "Little Honda" -- "Put on a ragged sweatshirt--I'll take you anywhere you want me to".   

Also, "Jingle Bells" was probably meant neither as a Christmas nor Thanksgiving song--it was just jumping on the 1850's sleighing song craze.

Now the song is the object of competition between Massachusetts and South Carolina--both claim it. Published in Massachusetts--but very likely written in Savannah--by James Pierpont, who was remembering Northern winters. As I recall, his brother or father was the strongly abolitionist pastor of a Unitarian Savannah church--until forced out. (And one of his nephews was J P. Morgan--though he himself was not particularly successful financially. Sure didn't get much out of "Jingle Bells" during his lifetime.

But as I said earlier, I find that the more you know about a song, the more you appreciate it. At least I find that to be so.

I like the song--and it sure is always a hit with kids--especially if you bring some actual "jingle bells" they can shake. It's requested a lot when we do door-to-door SATB caroling.   (This year the weather was the worst it's been in 15 years of the caroling--so we invited some neighbors who wanted to hear us to Jan's and my house instead for the caroling party.)

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 12:29 PM

Pleanty of mugs for all. Jerry keeps a well-stocked kitchen.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 12:20 PM

Happy New year to you all.
We had a wonderful Chrismas with all the family, lots of cooking and much too much food as usual, had a party for friends on the Wednesday too eat up the left overs and yet the fridge is still full!
We went to a dinner dance New Years Eve at the theatre where our son is manager, lots of champagne and good music to dance too.So we missed the fireworks in London which were marvolous so they say.
Now all the celebrations are over I am enjoying a peaceful afternoon listening to my favoutite CD's.Hot chocolate would be lovely thank you
Wendy

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 08:12 PM

Ah, by happy coincidence, Carly, that is exactly what I brought! Real chocolate, secret recipe, steaming hot. salut!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Carly
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 07:26 PM

It feels good to stop by in the kitchen, particularly as I don't have to cook right now... We've had a busy holiday season; I did my family's annual Chanukah gathering at our house this year; blintzes, smoked salmon and latkes for twenty, and enough Chanukah gelt (chocolate foil-wrapped coins) for all the kids to play dreidel and stuff themselves with candy! The next weekend I did Christmas dinner for the other side of the family, serving, by request, ham, candied sweet potatoes, cheese grits casserole, garlic green beans,stollen and Christmas cookies. Between getting (and keeping!) the house in order, cooking vast quanities of everything, and visiting with family and friends, by New Year's Eve Dean and I were happy to drop Sam off at a slumber partly ( where very little slumbering took place!) and return home to bring the New Year in quietly and gratefully.

Jerry, your pastor's comments about blessing our enemies is very much like the Jewish New Year traditions. During the High Holy Days, the time from Rosh Hashanah to, ten days later, Yom Kippor, people should pay their debts, settle their quarrels, and make amends if they have harmed anyone over the year. Only after one has addressed these issues here on earth, is it possible to turn full attention to the Lord on Yom Kippor, the day of Atonement.

A happy and healthy New Year to all of you around the table; may you and yours have a year of love, laughter and music ( not to mention plenty of hugs and lots of chocolate!)

Speaking of which, is there any hot chocolate around....?

Carly

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Tootler
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 07:28 PM

We had a very quiet New Year. The weather was dreadful and there was not the usual going out into the street to wish each other happy new year.

Today was quiet, weatherwise. We went to see "Miss Potter" this evening, a film about the relationship between Beatrix Potter and her Publisher, Norman Warne. It was a lovely film, beautifully acted and with stunning locations. Sad in places because Beatrix Potter was engaged to Norman Warne, but he died before they could marry. Also sad because her mother never really appreciated her daughter's talent. However the film was not all sad as they also showed her successes and took the ending through her mourning to her purchase of Hill Top Farm in the Lake District and the beginnings of the relationship with the man she eventually married.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 03:01 PM

Hey, severn: Nice to see you at the table. I expect that this will be a slow day. They're showing an all-day, all-night marathon of Murder She Wrote on the Biography channel, SI I've temporarily lost my wife. :-)

And Alice: I have I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day on a wonderful Christmas album by Harry Belefonte. I've never heard it by Der Bingle, but I am very partial to Harry's version. (It's a wonderful album, by the way that finally came out on CD a couple of years ago.)

Lazy day around here... hopefully everyone who wants to can just kick back, kick off your shoes and take it easy, too.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 09:48 AM

Happy New Year, all!!

I dunno, Elmer. What if in 2007, you finally killed Bugs Bunny and made a nice rabbit stew; Willy Coyote caught the Road Runner, and Tom caught Jerry?: that last possibility sends chills down my spine. Or Lucy finally held the football and let Charlie Brown kick it? The world loves a loser, because we are all familiar with losing.
It all goes back to Don Quixote, I think.

Watch Night was wonderful. With a strong message. It was December 31st, 1862 at midnight, when slavery was abolished in this country.
Our Pastor read a text from the old Testament remembering when the Hebrews were in slavery, waiting to be released, and then brought it up to the present, talking about how all of us are at risk of being enslaved to something. Some are in slavery to drugs or alchohol, some to sexual immorality, some to gambling, or even materialism. The other part of the scriptural reading which I didn't remember is that when Pharaoh told Moses that he could deliver the Hebrews out of slavery, he said that before he would allow it, Moses had to bless him. Blessing our enemies frees us from another kind of slavery... being linked by hatred to them. Our Pastor encouraged everyone to search their hearts for anyone we hold a grudge against, or consider our enemies and to bless them. Hatred, unforgiveness and bitterness are all enslaving. In honesty, I don't think that I have any enemies. I've had one or two in my life... people who were actively trying to destroy me. For a lifetime, that's not bad. But, the message was a good one. Love breaks shackles.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Severn
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 08:36 AM

The Best of New Years to Rassmussendom Assembled, and to all who pass thru the kitchen in this new Good Year with lots of tread still on it and a good warranty, to boot!

Cream, no sugar, thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: freda underhill
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 04:27 AM

Watch Night sounds like a great tradition, Jerry.

It's evening of New Year's Day here in Sydney. I have spent quite a bit of time in the last few days going for long walks around the harbour.

Last night I went with friends down to the harbour, to watch the 9.00 pm fireworks. Later we sat on a balcony at a house in the inner city (Glebe) watching the midnight fireworks across the city skyline. This morning the city was given a good soaking - rain - which we need so much, bucketing down.

It has been a very peaceful day, a good way to start the year. Happy New Year everyone!

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 04:20 AM

My first wabbit, Elmer. Be happy for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 04:12 AM

AWwww EBBIE. You can make a grown man cry. Happy New Year!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 04:00 AM

1500? Did I catch him for you, Elmer?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 03:40 AM

FWONT AND CENTER, YOU SCWEWY WABBIT! WIGHT NOW! THE TIME HAS COME! IT'S PAST MIDNIGHT AND FUDD NEEDS HIS BEAUTY SLEEP. I'VE GOT YOU NOW. YOU'WE ALL MINE, ALL MINE AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU'RE TOAST, YOU HAWEBWAINED BUNNY, DO YOU HEAW ME?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 03:36 AM

C'mon Bugsy, ol pal. Lets buwy the hatchet and be fwends. Let old acquaintance be forgot, auld lang syne--y'know?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 03:34 AM

I have some nice cawwot-flavored champagne for you!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 03:33 AM

But it's a wascally wabbit I'm after. Hewe, bunny, bunny, bunny.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 03:31 AM

It's 2007 now, the Chinese year of the pig.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Alice
Date: 31 Dec 06 - 06:16 PM

Ron and Jerry, great to hear your stories of what you are doing.

I love the song/poem I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. I learned it from an old Bing Crosby recording and always think of his voice.
I have never had a chance to perform it, just sing it for myself around the house.

My music experiences have been nil this year. My job currently has overtaken everything in my life. I hope this coming year will be one in which I can have more personal time.

Happy New Year to you!

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 31 Dec 06 - 06:09 PM

I'm smelling wabbit. I'm gonna bag that sucka befaw this yeaw is thwew!